Getting into wedding photography / engagement photography may have been a happy accident, but finding my groove was far more difficult. In starting out I had no idea which direction I should head. What is everyone else doing? Who are the other Halifax wedding photographers? What are their wedding package prices? What is their style? Their philosophy? I essentially made the incorrect assumption that I was behind - that I was in the same race and I'd need to catch up. That assumption makes things stressful and it's easy to start doubting yourself.

In 2011 I met up with another Halifax wedding photographer - someone who had just moved back to the East Coast and was looking to break into the scene again. I met him on Kijiji of all places - our go to resource for free advertising at the time. I was drawn to his honesty (in both his photos and his words) and at some point reached out to say hello. No regrets. A friendship forged and adventures had. Unfortunately I had to say goodbye to him this past week - his battle with cancer come to an end. I owe Layton Reid a great deal - one of the most important things he taught me was to 'be yourself'. Letting go of my past assumptions was difficult, but he was there - each step of the way. Be true. Don't stop. Keep on clicking. Onward and upward.

Gone were my worries about competing in that same race. Gone was that need to incessantly compare. Breaking free is difficult, but it's also absolutely amazing. Thank you, friend. Once you're free you can start forging your own path. Your own race. Things may slow down at first, but they'll pick up again. You'll have fun with new clients. New connections. New friendships.